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The Hank Aaron Sports Academy, in association with the Legacy League and the Atlanta Braves, has announced that two youth teams representing the city of Jackson, MS., have received a special "selected invite" to participate in this year's Braves Country baseball tournament in Atlanta GA., with opening ceremonies at Truist Park and games being played at Atlanta area fields, featuring youth rec teams that represent a number of Southeastern states representing Braves Country.
The two all-star teams selected will represent the Grove Park Boys & Girls Youth Sports Association (aka BBA) in northwest Jackson. An 8u and 9u all-star team will participate in the respective age divisions beginning June 28, 2024. Grove Park players from all age divisions have benefited from the use of two baseball facilities, Grove Park baseball fields, and the former MiLB facility Smith-Wills Stadium, which is now home of the Hank Aaron Sports Academy and under its Sports Director and former JSU standout Clint Johnson - “On behalf of the players, coaches and parents at Grove Park I want to thank Tim Bennett and the HASA for supporting our players and coaches and making this awesome opportunity possible. Our kids are excited and looking forward to playing in the tournament!”
"Smith-Wills Stadium is symbolic as the home of both the Hank Aaron Sports Academy and the Legacy League and represents one of Hank's final quests to give back to under-served youth before his passing in 2021, and it is from this Stadium that youth teams from all over the Jackson-Metro area and the state of Mississippi are coming to play baseball together regardless of color, gender or nationality helping to fulfill that lifelong mission of Henry Aaron to "give back."
- Tim Bennett
“I am excited for the Legacy League to represent the state of Mississippi in the Inaugural Braves Country Championships. In its first season, Braves Country Baseball and Softball includes more than 100 parks across the Southeast, representing over 35,000 kids ages 5-12. We look forward to hosting the top teams across Braves Country to compete in the Championships next month in Atlanta."
- Greg McMichael, Sr. Director Alumni Relations/Growing the Game
For more information on Smith Wills Stadium or to register to participate in any of its many free youth programs,
contact Tim Bennett - Tim@hankaaronsports.com
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